Darrington wrestling aiming at another strong season

DARRINGTON — Darrington wrestling coach Ray Franke said he expects his team to have another strong season. The Loggers have 15 wrestlers and five of them wrestled at Mat Classic last season. Darrington’s performance was capped by then-junior Gage Burtenshaw, who won the 160-pound division championship in the Class 1B/2B ranks.

“We’re looking pretty good,” Franke said. “Last year we placed 10th (at state), we’ve been in the top 10 the last few years and we’re trying to keep it going. Hopefully we can count on Gage to repeat. Johnny (Franke) has a shot to win (at 182 pounds). A couple other kids are close. I figure if we can have a couple of champs and two or three other state-placers, that’s the goal we should aspire to.”

State meet veterans Joseph Monchack (120), Cameron Kintop (126) and Lucas Ruewsaat (138), as well as newcomer Darren Sedenas (106), are in line to make deep postseason runs, Ray Franke said. And, of course, the team should benefit from another strong season from Burtenshaw.

“The first two years were learning experiences for him, and last year he put it all together and won it all,” Ray Franke said. “He comes from a long lineage (of successful Darrington wrestlers), so it’s in his blood. Winning last year gave him confidence. He’ll go in expecting to win this year. He certainly works hard.”